I READ with great interest and enthusiasm the ideas of Chandran Nair, author, businessman and a think tank founder on issues related to racism.
If everything goes well, he plans to establish the Malaysian Anti-Racism Institute (MARI). In a nutshell, Chandran’s focus is on how Malaysians, both Malays and non-Malays, confront racial discrimination that has been institutionalised and normalised over the years.
While former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad talked about the Malay dilemma, Chandran wants to touch on the non-Malay dilemma, after 64 years of the country’s Independence.
So, what is the non-Malay dilemma? Basically, it is about the non-Malays being accustomed to accept the reality of being “second-class citizens”. Some sections within the community believe this is the price to be paid to have a slice of the pie and opposition to this might not be an option.
Many non-Malays have resigned to accept the status quo of entrenched and divisive racial discrimination.
The Malays, particularly the elite, are prime beneficiaries of the racially entrenched system. Some are not aware of the actual situation, but many having benefited, do not intend to remove the system that feeds them.
This entrenched racism has meant, among other things, that Malays do not have to compete on equal terms with the non-Malays.
The education system, devoid of competition, is skewed in the favour of the Malays. Economic deprivation has unfortunately kept the Malay masses “tuned” to accept the reality dished out by the Malay elite.
The grand narrative of non-Malay or Chinese discrimination of the Malays has provided the ideological justification for the continuation of the racist system.
So, the question now is, how to dismantle the racist system? What will be the role of the two respective ethnic communities?
Chandran thinks that the parliamentary elections might not bring about the desired change, as in removing the racist system.
Non-Malays should be bold to question their existential status, speak out on racism in non-racial terms and engage the Malays to show their displeasure.
They can write letters and publish stories about their sad state of affairs to reclaim their lost rights as citizens of the country.
Like minded Malays who understand the situation better than others will have to articulate their thoughts that the racist system will not benefit them in the long-run but will impoverish them.
Malays, non-Malays must join hands
In other words, both communities, at least those who are aware, must join hands to fight and dismantle the pernicious system.
The non-Malays must be brave enough to lash out at the unjust and oppressive racial system. The formation of civil disobedience movements, protests and others could be the start of such awakening to move away from the institutionalised racist system.
I really have no disagreement with Chandran on the non-Malay dilemma he was at pains to articulate. I also agree that move towards a non-racist society must be separately and joined articulated by both the non-Malays and Malays.
It must be a joint effort at some point, for the oppressive racist system is harmful to both the ethnic segments. The interests of both the ethnic groups must coincide in the larger interest of the country.
However, dismantling the entrenched institutionalised racist system, having its antecedents in the past, cannot be removed just overnight.
Yes, awareness is important, but the need to honestly and bravely to speak out against injustice of the system is equally important.
That being said, as attractive is the argument put forward to dismantle the racist system, I find it has not been contextualised historically.
Without historical context of the struggles and political movements meant to create a just Malaysian society, the piece by Chandran might run into the problem of duplication.
He is not the first one to argue against the racist system or for its removal, there have been others in the course of the history of this country.
The question now is, how different is his analysis to others? Has he forgotten about the left-wing movements in the country? What was its position on the racial system and how it sought for its removal?
Chandran simplistically dismisses the quest for parliamentary power, arguing it is nothing but being confined to the corridors of power and lacks relevance to the removal of institutionalised racism.
Racism in the country is born out of our racial and religious politics that is well entrenched in the institutions. Removal of the institutions and ideology surrounding is a Herculean task.
Such a task necessitates movements or grand political coalitions not just to bring an end to racism but about bringing a better and progressive society.
Paradigm shift
Racism cannot just be eliminated by developing and sustaining an anti-racist narrative or dialogue. A focus solely on dismantling the obnoxious racist system might be counterproductive. It has to be integrated in the larger of agenda of progressive reforms.
Years of racism has created divisive forces in the society. In fact, there is hardly any dialogue between the non-Malays and Malays to find a common ground to discuss the matter of institutionalised racism.
Chandran suggests everyday forms of resistance against the manifold manifestation of racism in work places and others. Everyday forms of resistances against racism and the unjust system are already there, such a thing is not something new in the country.
The problem with these kinds of resistance is that they are not organised, localised and very often spontaneous. Given this, they are hardly effective instruments of change.
Gandhian inspired overt passive resistances might be important in some contexts but not in others.
It might have effective in India to drive out the British, to some extent effective in the civil rights movement in the US or even the removal of the apartheid system in South Africa.
But I am not sure of the utility of passive resistance in Malaysia. While Chandran talks about movements, I am not sure whether he was referring to political or social movements.
But he certainly thinks that political movements in quest of parliamentary power might not be the right strategy.
I can understand his predicament with politicians in the country. However, from a broader perspective, no social movements are devoid of politics.
The minute any movement has an objective to attain, then it is political in nature.
Nevertheless, I respect Chandran for coming out with a perspective on how to go about in addressing the difficult and sensitive matter of racism in the country. – Sept 4, 2021
Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
